This study is new but it only confirms what we knew long ago.

Many parents over-praise their kids’ activities to the detriment of the child’s self-esteem.

Across playgrounds, schoolyards and classrooms, it is common to hear well-intentioned parents, caregivers and teachers heap high praise on children — particularly those with low self-esteem.

But a new study suggests that when adults shower children with compliments to try to boost their self-esteem, it has the opposite effect, sending the message that they must continue to meet very high standards and discouraging them from taking on new, confidence-boosting challenges, lest they fail.